The Taming of the Shrew

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Original text
Act IV, Scene I
Enter Grumio.

Gru.:
Fie, fie on all tired Iades, on all mad Masters, &
all foule waies: was euer man so beaten? was euer man so
raide? was euer man so weary? I am sent before to make
a fire, and they are comming after to warme them: now
were not I a little pot, & soone hot; my very lippes might
freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roofe of my mouth, my
heart in my belly, ere l should come by a fire to thaw me,
but I with blowing the fire shall warme my selfe: for considering
the weather, a taller man then I will take cold:
Holla, hoa Curtis.
Enter Curtis.

Curt.
Who is that calls so coldly?

Gru.
A piece of Ice: if thou doubt it, thou maist slide
from my shoulder to my heele, with no greater a run but
my head and my necke. A fire good Curtis.

Cur.
Is my master and his wife comming Grumio?

Gru.
Oh I Curtis I, and therefore fire, fire, cast on
no water.

Cur.
Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported.

Gru.
She was good Curtis before this frost: but thou
know'st winter tames man, woman, and beast: for it
hath tam'd my old master, and my new mistris, and
my selfe fellow Curtis.

Gru.
Away you three inch foole, I am no beast.

Gru.
Am I but three inches? Why thy horne is a foot
and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire,
or shall I complaine on thee to our mistris, whose hand
(she being now at hand) thou shalt soone feele, to thy
cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office.

Cur.
I prethee good Grumio, tell me, how goes the
world?

Gru.
A cold world Curtis in euery office but thine,
& therefore fire: do thy duty, and haue thy dutie, for
my Master and mistris are almost frozen to death.

Cur.
There's fire readie, and therefore good Grumio
the newes.

Gru.
Why Iacke boy, ho boy, and as much newes as
wilt thou.

Cur.
Come, you are so full of conicatching.

Gru.
Why therefore fire, for I haue caught extreme
cold. Where's the Cooke, is supper ready, the house
trim'd, rushes strew'd, cobwebs swept, the seruingmen
in their new fustian, the white stockings, and
euery officer his wedding garment on? Be the Iackes
faire within, the Gils faire without, the Carpets laide, and
euerie thing in order?

Cur.
All readie: and therefore I pray thee newes.

Gru.
First know my horse is tired, my master &
mistris falne out.

Cur.
How?

Gru.
Out of their saddles into the durt, and thereby
hangs a tale.

Cur.
Let's ha't good Grumio.

Gru.
Lend thine eare.

Cur.
Heere.

Gru.
There.

Cur.
This 'tis to feele a tale, not to heare a tale.

Gru.
And therefore 'tis cal'd a sensible tale: and this
Cuffe was but to knocke at your eare, and beseech listning:
now I begin, Inprimis wee came downe a fowle hill, my
Master riding behinde my Mistris.

Cur.
Both of one horse?

Gru.
What's that to thee?

Cur.
Why a horse.

Gru.
Tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not crost
me, thou shouldst haue heard how her horse fel, and
she vnder her horse: thou shouldst haue heard in how
miery a place, how she was bemoil'd, how hee left her
with the horse vpon her, how he beat me because her
horse stumbled, how she waded through the durt to
plucke him off me: how he swore, how she prai'd, that
neuer prai'd before: how I cried, how the horses ranne
away, how her bridle was burst: how I lost my crupper,
with manie things of worthy memorie, which now shall
die in obliuion, and thou returne vnexperienc'd to thy
graue.

Cur.
By this reckning he is more shrew than she.

Gru.
I, and that thou and the proudest of you all
shall finde when he comes home. But what talke I of this?
Call forth Nathaniel, Ioseph, Nicholas, Phillip, Walter,
Sugersop and the rest: let their heads bee slickely
comb'd, their blew coats brush'd, and their garters
of an indifferent knit, let them curtsie with their left
legges, and not presume to touch a haire of my Masters
horse-taile, till they kisse their hands. Are they all readie?

Cur.
They are.

Gru.
Call them forth.

Cur.
Do you heare ho? you must meete my maister to
countenance my mistris.

Gru.
Why she hath a face of her owne.

Cur.
Who knowes not that?

Gru.
Thou it seemes, that cals for company to countenance
her.

Cur.
I call them forth to credit her.

Gru.
Why she comes to borrow nothing of them.
Enter foure or fiue seruingmen.

Nat.
Welcome home Grumio.

Phil.
How now Grumio.

Ios.
What Grumio.

Nick.
Fellow Grumio.

Nat.
How now old lad.

Gru.
Welcome you: how now you: what you:
fellow you: and thus much for greeting. Now my spruce
companions, is all readie, and all things neate?

Nat.
All things is readie, how neere is our master?

Gre.
E'ne at hand, alighted by this: and therefore be
not--- Cockes passion, silence, I heare my master.
Enter Petruchio and Kate.

Pet.
Where be these knaues? What no man at doore
To hold my stirrop, nor to take my horse?
Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Phillip.

All ser.
Heere, heere sir, heere sir.

Pet.
Heere sir, heere sir, heere sir, heere sir.
You logger-headed and vnpollisht groomes:
What? no attendance? no regard? no dutie?
Where is the foolish knaue I sent before?

Gru.
Heere sir, as foolish as I was before.

Pet.
You pezant, swain, you horson malt-horse drudg
Did I not bid thee meete me in the Parke,
And bring along these rascal knaues with thee?

Grumio.
Nathaniels coate sir was not fully made,
And Gabrels pumpes were all vnpinkt i'th heele:
There was no Linke to colour Peters hat,
And Walters dagger was not come from sheathing:
There were none fine, but Adam, Rafe, and Gregory,
The rest were ragged, old, and beggerly,
Yet as they are, heere are they come to meete you.

Pet.
Go rascals, go, and fetch my supper in.
Ex. Ser.
Where is the life that late I led?
Where are those?
Sit downe Kate, / And welcome. Soud, soud, soud, soud.
Enter seruants with supper.
Why when I say? Nay good sweete Kate be merrie.
Off with my boots, you rogues: you villaines, when?
It was the Friar of Orders gray,
As he forth walked on his way.
Out you rogue, you plucke my foote awrie,

Take that, and mend the plucking of the other.
Be merrie Kate: Some water heere: what hoa.
Enter one with water.
Where's my Spaniel Troilus? Sirra, get you hence,
And bid my cozen Ferdinand come hither:
One Kate that you must kisse, and be acquainted with.
Where are my Slippers? Shall I haue some water?
Come Kate and wash, & welcome heartily:

you horson villaine, will you let it fall?

Kate.
Patience I pray you, 'twas a fault vnwilling.

Pet.
A horson beetle-headed flap-ear'd knaue:
Come Kate sit downe, I know you haue a stomacke,
Will you giue thankes, sweete Kate, or else shall I?
What's this, Mutton?

1.Ser.
I.

Pet.
Who brought it?

Peter.
I.

Pet.
'Tis burnt, and so is all the meate:
What dogges are these? Where is the rascall Cooke?
How durst you villaines bring it from the dresser
And serue it thus to me that loue it not?
There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all:

You heedlesse iolt-heads, and vnmanner'd slaues.
What, do you grumble? Ile be with you straight.

Kate.
I pray you husband be not so disquiet,
The meate was well, if you were so contented.

Pet.
I tell thee Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away,
And I expressely am forbid to touch it:
For it engenders choller, planteth anger,
And better 'twere that both of vs did fast,
Since of our selues, our selues are chollericke,
Then feede it with such ouer-rosted flesh:
Be patient, to morrow't shalbe mended,
And for this night we'l fast for companie.
Come I wil bring thee to thy Bridall chamber.
Exeunt.
Enter Seruants seuerally.

Nath.
Peter didst euer see the like.

Peter.
He kils her in her owne humor.
Enter Curtis a Seruant.

Grumio.
Where is he?

Cur.
In her chamber,
making a sermon of continencie to her,
and railes, and sweares, and rates, that shee (poore soule)
knowes not which way to stand, to looke, to speake,
and sits as one new risen from a dreame.
Away, away, for he is comming hither.
Enter Petruchio.

Pet.
Thus haue I politickely begun my reigne,
And 'tis my hope to end successefully:
My Faulcon now is sharpe, and passing emptie,
And til she stoope, she must not be full gorg'd,
For then she neuer lookes vpon her lure.
Another way I haue to man my Haggard,
To make her come, and know her Keepers call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these Kites,
That baite, and beate, and will not be obedient:
She eate no meate to day, nor none shall eate.
Last night she slept not, nor to night she shall not:
As with the meate, some vndeserued fault
Ile finde about the making of the bed,
And heere Ile fling the pillow, there the boulster,
This way the Couerlet, another way the sheets:
I, and amid this hurlie I intend,
That all is done in reuerend care of her,
And in conclusion, she shal watch all night,
And if she chance to nod, Ile raile and brawle,
And with the clamor keepe her stil awake:
This is a way to kil a Wife with kindnesse,
And thus Ile curbe her mad and headstrong humor:
He that knowes better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speake, 'tis charity to shew.
Exit
Original text
Act IV, Scene II
Enter Tranio and Hortensio.

Tra.
Is't possible friend Lisio, that mistris Bianca
Doth fancie any other but Lucentio,
I tel you sir, she beares me faire in hand.

Luc.
Sir, to satisfie you in what I haue said,
Stand by, and marke the manner of his teaching.
Enter Bianca.

Hor.
Now Mistris, profit you in what you reade?

Bian.
What Master reade you first, resolue me that?

Hor.
I reade, that I professe the Art to loue.

Bian
And may you proue sir Master of your Art.

Luc.
While you sweet deere ptoue Mistresse of my heart.


Hor.
Quicke proceeders marry, now tel me I pray,
you that durst sweare that your Mistris Bianca
Lou'd me in the World so wel as Lucentio.

Tra.
Oh despightful Loue, vnconstant womankind,
I tel thee Lisio this is wonderfull.

Hor.
Mistake no more, I am not Lisio,
Nor a Musitian as I seeme to bee,
But one that scorne to liue in this disguise,
For such a one as leaues a Gentleman,
And makes a God of such a Cullion;
Know sir, that I am cal'd Hortensio.

Tra.
Signior Hortensio, I haue often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca,
And since mine eyes are witnesse of her lightnesse,
I wil with you, if you be so contented,
Forsweare Bianca, and her loue for euer.

Hor.
See how they kisse and court: Signior Lucentio,
Heere is my hand, and heere I firmly vow
Neuer to woo her more, but do forsweare her
As one vnworthie all the former fauours
That I haue fondly flatter'd them withall.

Tra.
And heere I take the like vnfained oath,
Neuer to marrie with her, though she would intreate,
Fie on her, see how beastly she doth court him.

Hor.
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn
For me, that I may surely keepe mine oath.
I wil be married to a wealthy Widdow,
Ere three dayes passe, which hath as long lou'd me,
As I haue lou'd this proud disdainful Haggard,
And so farewel signior Lucentio,
Kindnesse in women, not their beauteous lookes
Shal win my loue, and so I take my leaue,
In resolution, as I swore before.

Tra.
Mistris Bianca, blesse you with such grace,
As longeth to a Louers blessed case:
Nay, I haue tane you napping gentle Loue,
And haue forsworne you with Hortensio.

Bian.
Tranio you iest, but haue you both forsworne mee?

Tra.
Mistris we haue.

Luc.
Then we are rid of Lisio.

Tra.
I'faith hee'l haue a lustie Widdow now,
That shalbe woo'd, and wedded in a day.

Bian.
God giue him ioy.

Tra.
I, and hee'l tame her.

Bianca.
He sayes so Tranio.

Tra.
Faith he is gone vnto the taming schoole.

Bian.
The taming schoole: what is there such a place?

Tra.
I mistris, and Petruchio is the master,
That teacheth trickes eleuen and twentie long,
To tame a shrew, and charme her chattering tongue.
Enter Biondello.

Bion.
Oh Master, master I haue watcht so long,
That I am dogge-wearie, but at last I spied
An ancient Angel comming downe the hill,
Wil serue the turne.

Tra.
What is he Biondello?

Bio.
Master, a Marcantant, or a pedant,
I know not what, but formall in apparrell,
In gate and countenance surely like a Father.

Luc.
And what of him Tranio?

Tra.
If he be credulous, and trust my tale,
Ile make him glad to seeme Vincentio,
And giue assurance to Baptista Minola.
As if he were the right Uincentio.
Take me your loue, and then let me alone.
Enter a Pedant.

Ped.
God saue you sir.

Tra.
And you sir, you are welcome,
Trauaile you farre on, or are you at the farthest?

Ped.
Sir at the farthest for a weeke or two,
But then vp farther, and as farre as Rome,
And so to Tripolie, if God lend me life.

Tra.
What Countreyman I pray?

Ped.
Of Mantua.

Tra.
Of Mantua Sir, marrie God forbid,
And come to Padua carelesse of your life.

Ped.
My life sir? how I pray? for that goes hard.

Tra.
'Tis death for any one in Mantua
To come to Padua, know you not the cause?
Your ships are staid at Venice, and the Duke
For priuate quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him,
Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
'Tis meruaile, but that you are but newly come,
you might haue heard it else proclaim'd about.

Ped.
Alas sir, it is worse for me then so,
For I haue bils for monie by exchange
From Florence, and must heere deliuer them.

Tra.
Wel sir, to do you courtesie,
This wil I do, and this I wil aduise you.
First tell me, haue you euer beene at Pisa?

Ped.
I sir, in Pisa haue I often bin,
Pisa renowned for graue Citizens.

Tra.
Among them know you one Vincentio?

Ped.
I know him not, but I haue heard of him:
A Merchant of incomparable wealth.

Tra.
He is my father sir, and sooth to say,
In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you.

Bion.
As much as an apple doth an oyster,
& all one.

Tra.
To saue your life in this extremitie,
This fauor wil I do you for his sake,
And thinke it not the worst of all your fortunes,
That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
His name and credite shal you vndertake,
And in my house you shal be friendly lodg'd,
Looke that you take vpon you as you should,
you vnderstand me sir: so shal you stay
Til you haue done your businesse in the Citie:
If this be court'sie sir, accept of it.

Ped.
Oh sir I do, and wil repute you euer
The patron of my life and libertie.

Tra.
Then go with me, to make the matter good,
This by the way I let you vnderstand,
My father is heere look'd for euerie day,
To passe assurance of a dowre in marriage
'Twixt me, and one Baptistas daughter heere:
In all these circumstances Ile instruct you,
Go with me to cloath you as becomes you.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act IV, Scene III
Enter Katherina and Grumio.

Gru.
No, no forsooth I dare not for my life.

Ka.
The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
What, did he marrie me to famish me?
Beggers that come vnto my fathers doore,
Vpon intreatie haue a present almes,
If not, elsewhere they meete with charitie:
But I, who neuer knew how to intreat,
Nor neuer needed that I should intreate,
Am staru'd for meate, giddie for lacke of sleepe:
With oathes kept waking, and with brawling fed,
And that which spights me more then all these wants,
He does it vnder name of perfect loue:
As who should say. if I should sleepe or eate
'Twere deadly sicknesse, or else present death.
I prethee go, aud get me some repast,
I care not what, so it be holsome foode.

Gru.
What say you to a Neats foote?

Kate.
'Tis passing good, I prethee let me haue it.

Gru.
I feare it is too chollericke a meate.
How say you to a fat Tripe finely broyl'd?

Kate.
I like it well, good Grumio fetch it me.

Gru.
I cannot tell, I feare 'tis chollericke.
What say you to a peece of Beefe and Mustard?

Kate.
A dish that I do loue to feede vpon.

Gru.
I, but the Mustard is too hot a little.

Kate.
Why then the Beefe, and let the Mustard rest.

Gru.
Nay then I wil not, you shal haue the Mustard
Or else you get no beefe of Grumio.

Kate.
Then both or one, or any thing thou wilt.

Gru.
Why then the Mustard without the beefe.

Kate.
Go get thee gone, thou false deluding slaue,
Beats him.
That feed'st me with the verie name of meate.
Sorrow on thee, and all the packe of you
That triumph thus vpon my misery:
Go get thee gone, I say.
Enter Petruchio, and Hortensio with meate.

Petr.
How fares my Kate, what sweeting all a-mort?

Hor.
Mistris, what cheere?

Kate.
Faith as cold as can be.

Pet.
Plucke vp thy spirits, looke cheerfully vpon me.
Heere Loue, thou seest how diligent I am,
To dresse thy meate my selfe, and bring it thee.
I am sure sweet Kate, this kindnesse merites thankes.
What, not a word? Nay then, thou lou'st it not:
And all my paines is sorted to no proofe.
Heere take away this dish.

Kate.
I pray you let it stand.

Pet.
The poorest seruice is repaide with thankes,
And so shall mine before you touch the meate.

Kate.
I thanke you sir.

Hor.
Signior Petruchio, fie you are too blame:
Come Mistris Kate, Ile beare you companie.

Petr.
Eate it vp all Hortensio, if thou louest mee:
Much good do it vnto thy gentle heart:
Kate eate apace; and now my honie Loue,
Will we returne vnto thy Fathers house,
And reuell it as brauely as the best,
With silken coats and caps, and golden Rings,
With Ruffes and Cuffes, and Fardingales, and things:
With Scarfes, and Fannes, & double change of brau'ry,
With Amber Bracelets, Beades, and all this knau'ry.
What hast thou din'd? The Tailor staies thy leasure,
To decke thy bodie with his ruffling treasure.
Enter Tailor.
Come Tailor, let vs see these ornaments.
Lay forth the gowne.
Enter Haberdasher.
What newes with you sir?

Fel.
Heere is the cap your Worship did bespeake.

Pet.
Why this was moulded on a porrenger,
A Veluet dish: Fie, fie, 'tis lewd and filthy,
Why 'tis a cockle or a walnut-shell,
A knacke, a toy, a tricke, a babies cap:
Away with it, come let me haue a bigger.

Kate.
Ile haue no bigger, this doth fit the time,
And Gentlewomen weare such caps as these.

Pet.
When you are gentle, you shall haue one too,
And not till then.

Hor.
That will not be in hast.

Kate.
Why sir I trust I may haue leaue to speake,
And speake I will. I am no childe, no babe,
Your betters haue indur'd me say my minde,
And If you cannot, best you stop your eares.
My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
Or els my heart concealing it wil breake,
And rather then it shall, I will be free,
Euen to the vttermost as I please in words.

Pet.
Why thou saist true, it is paltrie cap,
A custard coffen, a bauble, a silken pie,
I loue thee well in that thou lik'st it not.

Kate.
Loue me, or loue me not, I like the cap,
And it I will haue, or I will haue none.

Pet.
Thy gowne, why I: come Tailor let vs see't.
Oh mercie God, what masking stuffe is heere?
Whats this? a sleeue? 'tis like demi cannon,
What, vp and downe caru'd like an apple Tart?
Heers snip, and nip, and cut, and slish and slash,
Like to a Censor in a barbers shoppe:
Why what a deuils name Tailor cal'st thou this?

Hor.

I see shees like to haue neither cap nor gowne.

Tai.
You bid me make it orderlie and well,
According to the fashion, and the time.

Pet.
Marrie and did: but if you be remembred,
I did not bid you marre it to the time.
Go hop me ouer euery kennell home,
For you shall hop without my custome sir:
Ile none of it; hence, make your best of it.

Kate.
I neuer saw a better fashion'd gowne,
More queint, more pleasing, nor more commendable:
Belike you meane to make a puppet of me.

Pet.
Why true, he meanes to make a puppet of thee.

Tail.
She saies your Worship meanes to make a puppet of her.

Pet.
Oh monstrous arrogance: / Thou lyest, thou thred, thou thimble,
Thou yard three quarters, halfe yard, quarter, naile,
Thou Flea, thou Nit, thou winter cricket thou:
Brau'd in mine owne house with a skeine of thred:
Away thou Ragge, thou quantitie, thou remnant,
Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard,
As thou shalt thinke on prating whil'st thou liu'st:
I tell thee I, that thou hast marr'd her gowne.

Tail.
Your worship is deceiu'd, the gowne is made
Iust as my master had direction:
Grumio gaue order how it should be done.

Gru.
I gaue him no order, I gaue him the stuffe.

Tail.
But how did you desire it should be made?

Gru.
Marrie sir with needle and thred.

Tail.
But did you not request to haue it cut?

Gru.
Thou hast fac'd many things.

Tail.
I haue.

Gru.
Face not mee: thou hast brau'd manie men, braue
not me; I will neither bee fac'd nor brau'd. I say vnto
thee, I bid thy Master cut out the gowne, but I did not
bid him cut it to peeces. Ergo thou liest.

Tail.
Why heere is the note of the fashion to testify.

Pet.
Reade it.

Gru.
The note lies in's throate if he say I said so.

Tail.

Inprimis, a loose bodied gowne.

Gru.
Master, if euer I said loose-bodied gowne, sow me
in the skirts of it, and beate me to death with a bottome of
browne thred: I said a gowne.

Pet.
Proceede.

Tai.
With a small compast cape.

Gru.
I confesse the cape.

Tai.
With a trunke sleeue.

Gru.
I confesse two sleeues.

Tai:
The sleeues curiously cut.

Pet.
I there's the villanie.

Gru.
Error i'th bill sir, error i'th bill? I commanded
the sleeues should be cut out, and sow'd vp againe, and
that Ile proue vpon thee, though thy little finger be
armed in a thimble.

Tail.
This is true that I say, and I had thee in place
where thou shouldst know it.

Gru.
I am for thee straight: take thou the bill, giue
me thy meat-yard, and spare not me.

Hor.
God-a-mercie Grumio, then hee shall haue no
oddes.

Pet.
Well sir in breefe the gowne is not for me.

Gru.
You are i'th right sir, 'tis for my mistris.

Pet.
Go take it vp vnto thy masters vse.

Gru.
Villaine, not for thy life: Take vp my Mistresse
gowne for thy masters vse.

Pet.
Why sir, what's your conceit in that?

Gru.
Oh sir, the conceit is deeper then you think for:
Take vp my Mistris gowne to his masters vse.
Oh fie, fie, fie.

Pet.
Hortensio, say thou wilt see the Tailor paide:
Go take it hence, be gone, and say no more.

Hor.
Tailor, Ile pay thee for thy gowne to morrow,
Take no vnkindnesse of his hastie words:
Away I say, commend me to thy master.
Exit Tail.

Pet.
Well, come my Kate, we will vnto your fathers,
Euen in these honest meane habiliments:
Our purses shall be proud, our garments poore:
For 'tis the minde that makes the bodie rich.
And as the Sunne breakes through the darkest clouds,
So honor peereth in the meanest habit.
What is the Iay more precious then the Larke?
Because his feathers are more beautifull.
Or is the Adder better then the Eele,
Because his painted skin contents the eye.
Oh no good Kate: neither art thou the worse
For this poore furniture, and meane array.
If thou accountedst it shame, lay it on me,
And therefore frolicke, we will hence forthwith,
To feast and sport vs at thy fathers house,
Go call my men, and let vs straight to him,
And bring our horses vnto Long-lane end,
There wil we mount, and thither walke on foote,
Let's see, I thinke 'tis now some seuen a clocke,
And well we may come there by dinner time.

Kate.
I dare assure you sir, 'tis almost two,
And 'twill be supper time ere you come there.

Pet.
It shall be seuen ere I go to horse:
Looke what I speake, or do, or thinke to doe,
You are still crossing it, sirs let't alone,
I will not goe to day, and ere I doe,
It shall be what a clock I say it is.

Hor.
Why so this gallant will command the sunne.
Original text
Act IV, Scene IV
Enter Tranio, and the Pedant
drest like Vincentio.

Tra.
Sirs, this is the house, please it you that I call.

Ped.
I what else, and but I be deceiued,
Signior Baptista may remember me
Neere twentie yeares a goe in Genoa.
Where we were lodgers, at the Pegasus,

Tra.
Tis well, and hold your owne in any case
With such austeritie as longeth to a father.
Enter Biondello.

Ped.
I warrant you: but sir here comes your boy,
'Twere good he were school'd.

Tra.
Feare you not him: sirra Biondello,
Now doe your dutie throughlie I aduise you:
Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio.

Bion.
Tut, feare not me.

Tra.
But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista.

Bion.
I told him that your father was at Venice,
And that you look't for him this day in Padua.

Tra.
Th'art a tall fellow, hold thee that to drinke,
Enter Baptista and Lucentio: Pedant booted and bare headed.
Tra. Here comes Baptista: set your countenance sir.
Signior Baptista you are happilie met:
Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of,
I pray you stand good father to me now,
Giue me Bianca for my patrimony.

Ped.
Soft son:
sir by your leaue, hauing com to Padua
To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio
Made me acquainted with a waighty cause
Of loue betweene your daughter and himselfe:
And for the good report I heare of you,
And for the loue he beareth to your daughter,
And she to him: to stay him not too long,
I am content in a good fathers care
To haue him matcht, and if you please to like
No worse then I, vpon some agreement
Me shall you finde readie and willing
With one consent to haue her so bestowed:
For curious I cannot be with you
Signior Baptista, of whom I heare so well.

Bap.
Sir, pardon me in what I haue to say,
Your plainnesse and your shortnesse please me well:
Right true it is your sonne Lucentio here
Doth loue my daughter, and she loueth him,
Or both dissemble deepely their affections:
And therefore if you say no more then this,
That like a Father you will deale with him,
And passe my daughter a sufficient dower,
The match is made, and all is done,
Your sonne shall haue my daughter with consent.

Tra.
I thanke you sir, where then doe you know best
We be affied and such assurance tane,
As shall with either parts agreement stand.

Bap.
Not in my house Lucentio, for you know
Pitchers haue eares, and I haue manie seruants,
Besides old Gremio is harkning still,
And happilie we might be interrupted.

Tra.
Then at my lodging, and it like you,
There doth my father lie: and there this night
Weele passe the businesse priuately and well:
Send for your daughter by your seruant here,

My Boy shall fetch the Scriuener presentlie,
The worst is this that at so slender warning,
You are like to haue a thin and slender pittance.

Bap.
It likes me well: / Cambio hie you home,
and bid Bianca make her readie straight:
And if you will tell what hath hapned,
Lucentios Father is arriued in Padua,
And how she's like to be Lucentios wife.

Biond.
I praie the gods she may withall my heart.

Tran.
Dallie not with the gods, but get thee gone.
Exit.
Enter Peter.
Signior Baptista, shall I leade the way,
Welcome, one messe is like to be your cheere,
Come sir, we will better it in Pisa.

Bap.
I follow you.
Exeunt.
Enter Lucentio and Biondello.

Bion.
Cambio.

Luc.
What saist thou Biondello.

Biond.
You saw my Master winke and laugh vpon you?

Luc.
Biondello, what of that?

Biond.
Faith nothing: but has left mee here behinde
to expound the meaning or morrall of his signes and tokens.

Luc.
I pray thee moralize them.

Biond.
Then thus: Baptista is safe talking with the
deceiuing Father of a deceitfull sonne.

Luc.
And what of him?

Biond.
His daughter is to be brought by you to the
supper.

Luc.
And then.

Bio.
The old Priest at Saint Lukes Church is at
your command at all houres.

Luc.
And what of all this.

Bion.
I cannot tell, expect they are busied about a
counterfeit assurance: take you assurance of her, Cum
preuilegio ad Impremendum solem, to th' Church take
the Priest, Clarke, and some sufficient honest witnesses:
If this be not that you looke fot, I haue no more to say,
But bid Bianca farewell for euer and a day.

Luc.
Hear'st thou Biondello.

Biond.
I cannot tarry: I knew a wench maried in an
afternoone as shee went to the Garden for Parseley to stuffe a
Rabit, and so may you sir: and so adew sir, my Master
hath appointed me to goe to Saint Lukes to bid the
Priest be readie to come against you come with your
appendix.
Exit.

Luc.
I may and will, if she be so contented:
She will be pleas'd, then wherefore should I doubt:
Hap what hap may, Ile roundly goe about her:
It shall goe hard if Cambio goe without her.
Exit.
Original text
Act IV, Scene V
Enter Petruchio, Kate, Hortentio

Petr.
Come on a Gods name, once more toward our fathers:
Good Lord how bright and goodly shines the Moone.

Kate.
The Moone, the Sunne: it is not Moonelight now.

Pet.
I say it is the Moone that shines so bright.

Kate.
I know it is the Sunne that shines so bright.

Pet.
Now by my mothers sonne, and that's my selfe,
It shall be moone, or starre, or what I list,
Or ere I iourney to your Fathers house:
Goe on, and fetch our horses backe againe,
Euermore crost and crost, nothing but crost.

Hort.
Say as he saies, or we shall neuer goe.

Kate.
Forward I pray, since we haue come so farre,
And be it moone, or sunne, or what you please:
And if you please to call it a rush Candle,
Henceforth I vowe it shall be so for me.

Petr.
I say it is the Moone.

Kate.
I know it is the Moone.

Petr.
Nay then you lye: it is the blessed Sunne.

Kate.
Then God be blest, it in the blessed sun,
But sunne it is not, when you say it is not,
And the Moone changes euen as your minde:
What you will haue it nam'd, euen that it is,
And so it shall be so for Katherine.

Hort.

Petruchio, goe thy waies, the field is won.

Petr.
Well, forward, forward, thus the bowle should run,
And not vnluckily against the Bias:
But soft, Company is comming here.
Enter Vincentio.
Good morrow gentle Mistris, where away:
Tell me sweete Kate, and tell me truely too,
Hast thou beheld a fresher Gentlewoman:
Such warre of white and red within her cheekes:
What stars do spangle heauen with such beautie,
As those two eyes become that heauenly face?
Faire louely Maide, once more good day to thee:
Sweete Kate embrace her for her beauties sake.

Hort.
A will make the man mad to make
the woman of him.

Kate.
Yong budding Virgin, faire, and fresh,& sweet,
Whether away, or whether is thy aboade?
Happy the Parents of so faire a childe;
Happier the man whom fauourable stars
A lots thee for his louely bedfellow.

Petr.
Why how now Kate, I hope thou art not mad,
This is a man old, wrinckled, faded, withered,
And not a Maiden, as thou saist he is.

Kate.
Pardon old father my mistaking eies,
That haue bin so bedazled with the sunne,
That euery thing I looke on seemeth greene:
Now I p erceiue thou art a reuerent Father:
Pardon I pray thee for my mad mistaking.

Petr.
Do good old grandsire, & withall make known
Which way thou trauellest, if along with vs,
We shall be ioyfull of thy companie.

Vin.
Faire Sir, and you my merry Mistris,
That with your strange encounter much amasde me:
My name is call'd Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,
And bound I am to Padua, there to visite
A sonne of mine, which long I haue not seene.

Petr.
What is his name?

Vinc.
Lucentio gentle sir.

Petr.
Happily met, the happier for thy sonne:
And now by Law, as well as reuerent age,
I may intitle thee my louing Father,
The sister to my wife, this Gentlewoman,
Thy Sonne by this hath married: wonder not,
Nor be not grieued, she is of good esteeme,
Her dowrie wealthie, and of worthie birth;
Beside, so qualified, as may beseeme
The Spouse of any noble Gentleman:
Let me imbrace with old Vincentio,
And wander we to see thy honest sonne,
Who will of thy arriuall be full ioyous.

Vinc.
But is this true, or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant trauailors to breake a Iest
Vpon the companie you ouertake?

Hort.
I doe assure thee father so it is.

Petr.
Come goe along and see the truth hereof,
For our first merriment hath made thee iealous.
Exeunt.

Hor.
Well Petruchio, this has put me in heart;
Haue to my Widdow, and if she froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortentio to be vntoward.
Exit.
Modern text
Act IV, Scene I
Enter Grumio

GRUMIO
Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, and
all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? Was ever man so
rayed? Was ever man so weary? I am sent before to make
a fire, and they are coming after to warm them. Now
were not I a little pot and soon hot, my very lips might
freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my
heart in my belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me.
But I with blowing the fire shall warm myself, for, considering
the weather, a taller man than I will take cold.
Holla, ho! Curtis.
Enter Curtis

CURTIS
Who is that calls so coldly?

GRUMIO
A piece of ice. If thou doubt it, thou mayst slide
from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but
my head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis.

CURTIS
Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?

GRUMIO
O ay, Curtis, ay – and therefore fire, fire, cast on
no water.

CURTIS
Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported?

GRUMIO
She was, good Curtis, before this frost. But thou
know'st winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it
hath tamed my old master, and my new mistress, and
myself, fellow Curtis.

CURTIS
Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.

GRUMIO
Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn is a foot,
and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire,
or shall I complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand
– she being now at hand – thou shalt soon feel, to thy
cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?

CURTIS
I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the
world?
He kindles a fire

GRUMIO
A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine –
and therefore fire. Do thy duty, and have thy duty, for
my master and mistress are almost frozen to death.

CURTIS
There's fire ready – and therefore, good Grumio,
the news.

GRUMIO
Why, ‘ Jack, boy, ho boy!’ and as much news as
wilt thou.

CURTIS
Come, you are so full of cony-catching.

GRUMIO
Why therefore fire, for I have caught extreme
cold. Where's the cook? Is supper ready, the house
trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept, the servingmen
in their new fustian, their white stockings, and
every officer his wedding-garment on? Be the Jacks
fair within, the Jills fair without, the carpets laid, and
everything in order?

CURTIS
All ready – and therefore, I pray thee, news.

GRUMIO
First know my horse is tired, my master and
mistress fallen out.

CURTIS
How?

GRUMIO
Out of their saddles into the dirt, and thereby
hangs a tale.

CURTIS
Let's ha't, good Grumio.

GRUMIO
Lend thine ear.

CURTIS
Here.

GRUMIO
There.
He boxes Curtis's ear

CURTIS
This 'tis to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.

GRUMIO
And therefore 'tis called a sensible tale; and this
cuff was but to knock at your ear and beseech listening.
Now I begin. Imprimis, we came down a foul hill, my
master riding behind my mistress –

CURTIS
Both of one horse?

GRUMIO
What's that to thee?

CURTIS
Why, a horse.

GRUMIO
Tell thou the tale. But hadst thou not crossed
me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell, and
she under her horse; thou shouldst have heard in how
miry a place, how she was bemoiled, how he left her
with the horse upon her, how he beat me because her
horse stumbled, how she waded through the dirt to
pluck him off me, how he swore, how she prayed that
never prayed before, how I cried, how the horses ran
away, how her bridle was burst, how I lost my crupper
– with many things of worthy memory, which now shall
die in oblivion, and thou return unexperienced to thy
grave.

CURTIS
By this reckoning he is more shrew than she.

GRUMIO
Ay, and that thou and the proudest of you all
shall find when he comes home. But what talk I of this?
Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter,
Sugarsop, and the rest. Let their heads be slickly
combed, their blue coats brushed, and their garters
of an indifferent knit. Let them curtsy with their left
legs, and not presume to touch a hair of my master's
horse-tail till they kiss their hands. Are they all ready?

CURTIS
They are.

GRUMIO
Call them forth.

CURTIS
Do you hear, ho? You must meet my master to
countenance my mistress.

GRUMIO
Why, she hath a face of her own.

CURTIS
Who knows not that?

GRUMIO
Thou, it seems, that calls for company to countenance
her.

CURTIS
I call them forth to credit her.

GRUMIO
Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.
Enter four or five Servingmen

NATHANIEL
Welcome home, Grumio.

PHILIP
How now, Grumio.

JOSEPH
What, Grumio.

NICHOLAS
Fellow Grumio.

NATHANIEL
How now, old lad.

GRUMIO
Welcome, you. How now, you. What, you.
Fellow, you. And thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce
companions, is all ready, and all things neat?

NATHANIEL
All things is ready. How near is our master?

GRUMIO
E'en at hand, alighted by this. And therefore be
not – Cock's passion, silence! I hear my master.
Enter Petruchio and Katherine

PETRUCHIO
Where be these knaves? What, no man at door
To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse?
Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?

ALL SERVINGMEN
Here, here sir, here sir.

PETRUCHIO
Here sir, here sir, here sir, here sir!
You loggerheaded and unpolished grooms!
What, no attendance? No regard? No duty?
Where is the foolish knave I sent before?

GRUMIO
Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.

PETRUCHIO
You peasant swain, you whoreson malthorse drudge!
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?

GRUMIO
Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,
And Gabriel's pumps were all unpinked i'th' heel.
There was no link to colour Peter's hat,
And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing.
There were none fine but Adam, Rafe, and Gregory –
The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly.
Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.

PETRUCHIO
Go, rascals, go and fetch my supper in.
Exeunt Servingmen
He sings
Where is the life that late I led?
Where are those –
Sit down, Kate, and welcome. Food, food, food, food!
Enter Servants with supper
Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.
Off with my boots, you rogues! You villains, when?
He sings
It was the friar of orders grey,
As he forth walked on his way –
Out, you rogue! You pluck my foot awry.
He strikes the Servant
Take that, and mend the plucking off the other.
Be merry, Kate. Some water here. What ho!
Enter one with water
Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence,
And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither.
Exit another Servingman
One, Kate, that you must kiss and be acquainted with.
Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?
Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.
He knocks the basin out of the Servant's hands
You whoreson villain, will you let it fall?
He strikes the Servant

KATHERINA
Patience, I pray you, 'twas a fault unwilling.

PETRUCHIO
A whoreson, beetle-headed, flap-eared knave!
Come, Kate, sit down, I know you have a stomach.
Will you give thanks, sweet Kate, or else shall I?
What's this? Mutton?

FIRST SERVINGMAN
Ay.

PETRUCHIO
Who brought it?

PETER
I.

PETRUCHIO
'Tis burnt, and so is all the meat.
What dogs are these! Where is the rascal cook?
How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser
And serve it thus to me that love it not?
There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all.
He throws the food and dishes at them
You heedless joltheads and unmannered slaves!
What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight.
Exeunt Servants hurriedly

KATHERINA
I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.
The meat was well, if you were so contented.

PETRUCHIO
I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away,
And I expressly am forbid to touch it,
For it engenders choler, planteth anger;
And better 'twere that both of us did fast,
Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric,
Than feed it with such overroasted flesh.
Be patient, tomorrow't shall be mended,
And for this night we'll fast for company.
Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.
Exeunt
Enter Servants severally

NATHANIEL
Peter, didst ever see the like?

PETER
He kills her in her own humour.
Enter Curtis

GRUMIO
Where is he?

CURTIS
In her chamber,
Making a sermon of continency to her,
And rails, and swears, and rates, that she, poor soul,
Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak,
And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
Away, away, for he is coming hither.
Exeunt
Enter Petruchio

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And 'tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper's call,
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat today, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I'll find about the making of the bed,
And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak – 'tis charity to show.
Exit
Modern text
Act IV, Scene II
Enter Tranio as Lucentio, and Hortensio as Licio

TRANIO
Is't possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

HORTENSIO
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
They stand aside
Enter Bianca, and Lucentio as Cambio

LUCENTIO
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

BIANCA
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.

LUCENTIO
I read that I profess, The Art to Love.

BIANCA
And may you prove, sir, master of your art.

LUCENTIO
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
They court each other

HORTENSIO
Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray,
You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.

TRANIO
O despiteful love, unconstant womankind!
I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

HORTENSIO
Mistake no more, I am not Licio,
Nor a musician as I seem to be,
But one that scorn to live in this disguise
For such a one as leaves a gentleman
And makes a god of such a cullion.
Know, sir, that I am called Hortensio.

TRANIO
Signor Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca,
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you, if you be so contented,
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

HORTENSIO
See how they kiss and court! Signor Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
Never to woo her more, but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flattered her withal.

TRANIO
And here I take the unfeigned oath,
Never to marry with her though she would entreat.
Fie on her! See how beastly she doth court him.

HORTENSIO
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
I will be married to a wealthy widow
Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me
As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.
And so farewell, Signor Lucentio.
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love – and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.
Exit
Tranio joins Lucentio and Bianca

TRANIO
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.

BIANCA
Tranio, you jest – but have you both forsworn me?

TRANIO
Mistress, we have.

LUCENTIO
Then we are rid of Licio.

TRANIO
I'faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,
That shall be wooed and wedded in a day.

BIANCA
God give him joy!

TRANIO
Ay, and he'll tame her.

BIANCA
He says so, Tranio.

TRANIO
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.

BIANCA
The taming-school? What, is there such a place?

TRANIO
Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master,
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
Enter Biondello

BIONDELLO
O master, master, I have watched so long
That I'm dog-weary, but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill
Will serve the turn.

TRANIO
What is he, Biondello?

BIONDELLO
Master, a marcantant or a pedant,
I know not what – but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely like a father.

LUCENTIO
And what of him, Tranio?

TRANIO
If he be credulous and trust my tale,
I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio,
And give assurance to Baptista Minola
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca
Enter a Pedant

PEDANT
God save you, sir.

TRANIO
And you, sir. You are welcome.
Travel you farrer on, or are you at the farthest?

PEDANT
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two,
But then up farther, and as far as Rome,
And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.

TRANIO
What countryman, I pray?

PEDANT
Of Mantua.

TRANIO
Of Mantua? Sir, marry, God forbid!
And come to Padua, careless of your life?

PEDANT
My life, sir? How, I pray? For that goes hard.

TRANIO
'Tis death for any one in Mantua
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
Your ships are stayed at Venice, and the Duke,
For private quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him,
Hath published and proclaimed it openly.
'Tis marvel – but that you are but newly come,
You might have heard it else proclaimed about.

PEDANT
Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so!
For I have bills for money by exchange
From Florence, and must here deliver them.

TRANIO
Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this I will advise you –
First tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

PEDANT
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
Pisa renowned for grave citizens.

TRANIO
Among them know you one Vincentio?

PEDANT
I know him not, but I have heard of him,
A merchant of incomparable wealth.

TRANIO
He is my father, sir, and, sooth to say,
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.

BIONDELLO
(aside)
As much as an apple doth an oyster,
and all one.

TRANIO
To save your life in this extremity,
This favour will I do you for his sake –
And think it not the worst of all your fortunes
That you are like to Sir Vincentio –
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged.
Look that you take upon you as you should.
You understand me, sir. So shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city.
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.

PEDANT
O, sir, I do, and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.

TRANIO
Then go with me to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand –
My father is here looked for every day
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here.
In all these circumstances I'll instruct you.
Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene III
Enter Katherina and Grumio

GRUMIO
No, no, forsooth, I dare not for my life.

KATHERINA
The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
What, did he marry me to famish me?
Beggars that come unto my father's door
Upon entreaty have a present alms,
If not, elsewhere they meet with charity.
But I, who never knew how to entreat,
Nor never needed that I should entreat,
Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep,
With oath kept waking, and with brawling fed.
And that which spites me more than all these wants,
He does it under name of perfect love,
As who should say, if I should sleep or eat,
'Twere deadly sickness or else present death.
I prithee go and get me some repast,
I care not what, so it be wholesome food.

GRUMIO
What say you to a neat's foot?

KATHERINA
'Tis passing good, I prithee let me have it.

GRUMIO
I fear it is too choleric a meat.
How say you to a fat tripe finely broiled?

KATHERINA
I like it well. Good Grumio, fetch it me.

GRUMIO
I cannot tell, I fear 'tis choleric.
What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?

KATHERINA
A dish that I do love to feed upon.

GRUMIO
Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little.

KATHERINA
Why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest.

GRUMIO
Nay then, I will not. You shall have the mustard,
Or else you get no beef of Grumio.

KATHERINA
Then both, or one, or anything thou wilt.

GRUMIO
Why then, the mustard without the beef.

KATHERINA
Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave,
She beats him
That feed'st me with the very name of meat.
Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you
That triumph thus upon my misery!
Go, get thee gone, I say.
Enter Petruchio and Hortensio with meat

PETRUCHIO
How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort?

HORTENSIO
Mistress, what cheer?

KATHERINA
Faith, as cold as can be.

PETRUCHIO
Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me.
Here love, thou seest how diligent I am,
To dress thy meat myself, and bring it thee.
He sets the dish down
I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks.
What, not a word? Nay, then, thou lov'st it not,
And all my pains is sorted to no proof.
Here, take away this dish.

KATHERINA
I pray you, let it stand.

PETRUCHIO
The poorest service is repaid with thanks,
And so shall mine before you touch the meat.

KATHERINA
I thank you, sir.

HORTENSIO
Signor Petruchio, fie, you are to blame.
Come, Mistress Kate, I'll bear you company.

PETRUCHIO
(aside to Hortensio)
Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me.
(to Katherina) Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!
Kate, eat apace. And now, my honey love,
Will we return unto thy father's house
And revel it as bravely as the best,
With silken coats and caps, and golden rings,
With ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things,
With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery,
With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knavery.
What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure,
To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure.
Enter Tailor
Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments.
Lay forth the gown.
Enter Haberdasher
What news with you, sir?

HABERDASHER
Here is the cap your worship did bespeak.

PETRUCHIO
Why, this was moulded on a porringer
A velvet dish. Fie, fie, 'tis lewd and filthy!
Why, 'tis a cockle or a walnut-shell,
A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap.
Away with it! Come, let me have a bigger.

KATHERINA
I'll have no bigger. This doth fit the time,
And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.

PETRUCHIO
When you are gentle, you shall have one too,
And not till then.

HORTENSIO
(aside)
That will not be in haste.

KATHERINA
Why sir, I trust I may have leave to speak,
And speak I will. I am no child, no babe.
Your betters have endured me say my mind,
And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.
My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
Or else my heart concealing it will break,
And rather than it shall, I will be free
Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.

PETRUCHIO
Why, thou say'st true – it is a paltry cap,
A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie.
I love thee well in that thou lik'st it not.

KATHERINA
Love me or love me not, I like the cap,
And it I will have, or I will have none.

PETRUCHIO
Thy gown? Why, ay. Come, tailor, let us see't.
Exit Haberdasher
O mercy, God! What masquing stuff is here?
What's this? A sleeve? 'Tis like a demi-cannon.
What, up and down carved like an apple-tart?
Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash,
Like to a censer in a barber's shop.
Why, what a devil's name, tailor, call'st thou this?

HORTENSIO
(aside)
I see she's like to have neither cap nor gown.

TAILOR
You bid me make it orderly and well,
According to the fashion and the time.

PETRUCHIO
Marry, and did. But if you be remembered,
I did not bid you mar it to the time.
Go, hop me over every kennel home,
For you shall hop without my custom, sir.
I'll none of it. Hence, make your best of it.

KATHERINA
I never saw a better-fashioned gown,
More quaint, more pleasing, nor more commendable.
Belike you mean to make a puppet of me.

PETRUCHIO
Why, true, he means to make a puppet of thee.

TAILOR
She says your worship means to make a puppet of her.

PETRUCHIO
O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread, thou thimble,
Thou yard, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail,
Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter-cricket thou!
Braved in mine own house with a skein of thread?
Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant,
Or I shall so bemete thee with thy yard
As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou liv'st.
I tell thee, I, that thou hast marred her gown.

TAILOR
Your worship is deceived – the gown is made
Just as my master had direction.
Grumio gave order how it should be done.

GRUMIO
I gave him no order, I gave him the stuff.

TAILOR
But how did you desire it should be made?

GRUMIO
Marry, sir, with needle and thread.

TAILOR
But did you not request to have it cut?

GRUMIO
Thou hast faced many things.

TAILOR
I have.

GRUMIO
Face not me. Thou hast braved many men; brave
not me. I will neither be faced nor braved. I say unto
thee, I bid thy master cut out the gown, but I did not
bid him cut it to pieces. Ergo, thou liest.

TAILOR
Why, here is the note of the fashion to testify.

PETRUCHIO
Read it.

GRUMIO
The note lies in's throat, if he say I said so.

TAILOR
(reads)
Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown.’

GRUMIO
Master, if ever I said loose-bodied gown, sew me
in the skirts of it and beat me to death with a bottom of
brown thread. I said a gown.

PETRUCHIO
Proceed.

TAILOR
‘ With a small compassed cape.’

GRUMIO
I confess the cape.

TAILOR
‘ With a trunk sleeve.’

GRUMIO
I confess two sleeves.

TAILOR
‘ The sleeves curiously cut.’

PETRUCHIO
Ay, there's the villainy.

GRUMIO
Error i'th' bill, sir, error i'th' bill! I commanded
the sleeves should be cut out, and sewed up again; and
that I'll prove upon thee, though thy little finger be
armed in a thimble.

TAILOR
This is true that I say; an I had thee in place
where, thou shouldst know it.

GRUMIO
I am for thee straight. Take thou the bill, give
me thy mete-yard, and spare not me.

HORTENSIO
God-a-mercy, Grumio, then he shall have no
odds.

PETRUCHIO
Well sir, in brief, the gown is not for me.

GRUMIO
You are i'th' right, sir, 'tis for my mistress.

PETRUCHIO
Go, take it up unto thy master's use.

GRUMIO
Villain, not for thy life! Take up my mistress'
gown for thy master's use!

PETRUCHIO
Why sir, what's your conceit in that?

GRUMIO
O sir, the conceit is deeper than you think for.
Take up my mistress' gown to his master's use!
O fie, fie, fie!

PETRUCHIO
(aside)
Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid.
(to the Tailor) Go take it hence, be gone, and say no more.

HORTENSIO
(aside)
Tailor, I'll pay thee for thy gown tomorrow.
Take no unkindness of his hasty words.
Away, I say, commend me to thy master.
Exit Tailor

PETRUCHIO
Well, come my Kate, we will unto your father's
Even in these honest mean habiliments.
Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor,
For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich,
And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
So honour peereth in the meanest habit.
What, is the jay more precious than the lark
Because his fathers are more beautiful?
Or is the adder better than the eel
Because his painted skin contents the eye?
O no, good Kate, neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture and mean array.
If thou account'st it shame, lay it on me.
And therefore frolic. We will hence forthwith
To feast and sport us at thy father's house.
(to Grumio) Go call my men, and let us straight to him,
And bring our horses unto Long-lane end,
There will we mount, and thither walk on foot.
Let's see, I think 'tis now some seven o'clock,
And well we may come there by dinner-time.

KATHERINA
I dare assure you, sir, 'tis almost two,
And 'twill be supper-time ere you come there.

PETRUCHIO
It shall be seven ere I go to horse.
Look what I speak, or do, or think to do,
You are still crossing it. Sirs, let 't alone,
I will not go today, and ere I do,
It shall be what o'clock I say it is.

HORTENSIO
Why, so this gallant will command the sun.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene IV
Enter Tranio as Lucentio, and the Pedant, booted, and
dressed like Vincentio

TRANIO
Sir, this is the house – please it you that I call?

PEDANT
Ay, what else? And but I be deceived
Signor Baptista may remember me
Near twenty years ago in Genoa,
Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.

TRANIO
'Tis well, and hold your own, in any case,
With such austerity as 'longeth to a father.
Enter Biondello

PEDANT
I warrant you. But sir, here comes your boy.
'Twere good he were schooled.

TRANIO
Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello,
Now do your duty throughly, I advise you.
Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio.

BIONDELLO
Tut, fear not me.

TRANIO
But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?

BIONDELLO
I told him that your father was at Venice,
And that you looked for him this day in Padua.

TRANIO
Th' art a tall fellow, hold thee that to drink.
Enter Baptista, and Lucentio as Cambio
Here comes Baptista. Set your countenance, sir.
Signor Baptista, you are happily met.
(to the Pedant) Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of.
I pray you stand good father to me now,
Give me Bianca for my patrimony.

PEDANT
Soft, son!
Sir, by your leave, having come to Padua
To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio
Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
Of love between your daughter and himself.
And – for the good report I hear of you,
And for the love he beareth to your daughter,
And she to him – to stay him not too long,
I am content, in a good father's care,
To have him matched; and, if you please to like
No worse than I, upon some agreement
Me shall you find ready and willing
With one consent to have her so bestowed.
For curious I cannot be with you,
Signor Baptista, of whom I hear so well.

BAPTISTA
Sir, pardon me in what I have to say.
Your plainness and your shortness please me well.
Right true it is your son Lucentio here
Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him,
Or both dissemble deeply their affections.
And therefore if you say no more than this,
That like a father you will deal with him,
And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,
The match is made, and all is done –
Your son shall have my daughter with consent.

TRANIO
I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
We be affied and such assurance ta'en
As shall with either part's agreement stand?

BAPTISTA
Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know
Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants.
Besides, old Gremio is hearkening still,
And happily we might be interrupted.

TRANIO
Then at my lodging, an it like you.
There doth my father lie; and there this night
We'll pass the business privately and well.
Send for your daughter by your servant here.
He winks at Lucentio
My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.
The worst is this, that at so slender warning
You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.

BAPTISTA
It likes me well. Cambio, hie you home,
And bid Bianca make her ready straight.
And, if you will, tell what hath happened –
Lucentio's father is arrived in Padua,
And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife.
Exit Lucentio

BIONDELLO
I pray the gods she may, with all my heart.

TRANIO
Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.
Exit Biondello
Enter Peter, a Servingman
Signor Baptista, shall I lead the way?
Welcome! One mess is like to be your cheer.
Come sir, we will better it in Pisa.

BAPTISTA
I follow you.
Exeunt
Enter Lucentio and Biondello

BIONDELLO
Cambio.

LUCENTIO
What say'st thou, Biondello?

BIONDELLO
You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?

LUCENTIO
Biondello, what of that?

BIONDELLO
Faith, nothing – but 'has left me here behind,
to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens.

LUCENTIO
I pray thee moralize them.

BIONDELLO
Then thus – Baptista is safe, talking with the
deceiving father of a deceitful son.

LUCENTIO
And what of him?

BIONDELLO
His daughter is to be brought by you to the
supper.

LUCENTIO
And then?

BIONDELLO
The old priest at Saint Luke's church is at
your command at all hours.

LUCENTIO
And what of all this?

BIONDELLO
I cannot tell, except they are busied about a
counterfeit assurance. Take you assurance of her, cum
privilegio ad imprimendum solum. To th' church! Take
the priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest witnesses.
If this be not that you look for, I have no more to say,
but bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day.
He turns to go

LUCENTIO
Hear'st thou, Biondello?

BIONDELLO
I cannot tarry. I knew a wench married in an
afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a
rabbit. And so may you, sir; and so adieu, sir. My master
hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke's to bid the
priest be ready to come against you come with your
appendix.
Exit

LUCENTIO
I may and will, if she be so contented.
She will be pleased, then wherefore should I doubt?
Hap what hap may, I'll roundly go about her.
It shall go hard if Cambio go without her.
Exit
Modern text
Act IV, Scene V
Enter Petruchio, Katherina, Hortensio and Servants

PETRUCHIO
Come on, a God's name, once more toward our father's.
Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!

KATHERINA
The moon? The sun! It is not moonlight now.

PETRUCHIO
I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

KATHERINA
I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

PETRUCHIO
Now by my mother's son, and that's myself,
It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,
Or e'er I journey to your father's house.
(to the Servants) Go on and fetch our horses back again.
Evermore crossed and crossed, nothing but crossed!

HORTENSIO
Say as he says, or we shall never go.

KATHERINA
Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
And be it moon, or sun, or what you please.
And if you please to call it a rush-candle,
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.

PETRUCHIO
I say it is the moon.

KATHERINA
I know it is the moon.

PETRUCHIO
Nay, then you lie. It is the blessed sun.

KATHERINA
Then, God be blessed, it is the blessed sun.
But sun it is not, when you say it is not,
And the moon changes even as your mind.
What you will have it named, even that it is,
And so it shall be so for Katherine.

HORTENSIO
(aside)
Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.

PETRUCHIO
Well, forward, forward! Thus the bowl should run,
And not unluckily against the bias.
But, soft, company is coming here.
Enter Vincentio
(to Vincentio) Good morrow, gentle mistress, where away?
Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too,
Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
Such war of white and red within her cheeks!
What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty
As those two eyes become that heavenly face?
Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.
Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake.

HORTENSIO
(aside)
A' will make the man mad, to make
the woman of him.

KATHERINA
Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
Whither away, or where is thy abode?
Happy the parents of so fair a child,
Happier the man whom favourable stars
Allots thee for his lovely bedfellow.

PETRUCHIO
Why, how now, Kate, I hope thou art not mad!
This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered,
And not a maiden, as thou say'st he is.

KATHERINA
Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes,
That have been so bedazzled with the sun
That everything I look on seemeth green.
Now I perceive thou art a reverend father.
Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.

PETRUCHIO
Do, good old grandsire, and withal make known
Which way thou travellest – if along with us,
We shall be joyful of thy company.

VINCENTIO
Fair sir, and you my merry mistress,
That with your strange encounter much amazed me,
My name is called Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,
And bound I am to Padua, there to visit
A son of mine, which long I have not seen.

PETRUCHIO
What is his name?

VINCENTIO
Lucentio, gentle sir.

PETRUCHIO
Happily met – the happier for thy son.
And now by law, as well as reverend age,
I may entitle thee my loving father.
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
Nor be not grieved – she is of good esteem,
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth,
Beside, so qualified as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio,
And wander we to see thy honest son,
Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.

VINCENTIO
But is this true, or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant travellers, to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake?

HORTENSIO
I do assure thee, father, so it is.

PETRUCHIO
Come, go along and see the truth hereof,
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.
Exeunt all but Hortensio

HORTENSIO
Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart.
Have to my widow! And if she be froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.
Exit
x

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